Well pump



P 1939- J. B. DAVIS 2,174,123

IELL PEEP Filed June 10, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet l O 2' JOHA/ 5. Dav/5INVENTO Sept. 26, 1939. J. B. DAVIS 2,174,123

WELL PUMP Filed June 10, 1959 3 She ets-Sheet 2 ;45 E=I=I 4a Y 5 541 26y 48 7 75 7/ Z5 I l I V, y I

' I v i 24 ,l r 72 I Jam/5, Dav/s INVENTOR ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 26', 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELL PUMP John B.Davis, Dallas, Tex.

Application June 10, 1939, Serial No. 278,537

90laims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in pumping units.4

This application is a continuation in part-of the co-pendingapplication, Serial No, 272,488.

, One object of this invention is to provide a unit similar to thatdescribed in the aforementioned co-pending application but without theuse of a central balanced hydraulic unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide m means for agitating awell when said well has ceased to flow'under its own pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide agitating means for a wellwhich means comprises an elementary unit of a permanent well pumpin 15system. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide means forcounterbalancing the rod load of a pumping unit, said means beingoperated by the gas pressure within a well casing.

, Another object of the invention is to provide means for utilizing gashead pressure within a well casing as a pressure medium for omrating arod load counterbalancing means.

Still another object of the invention is to pro- 5 vide means forconverting the wet gas within a well to a dry gas for use within acounterbalancing unit thereby decreasing the danger of using a highlyinflammable explosive wet gas.

A still further object of the invention is to pro- 30 vide means forregulating the pressure prior to the entrance of said pressure into acounterbalancing unit from a well.

Another object of the invention is to provid a mechanically operated andcontrolled valve for a laitert use in connection with a central power pan v Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic tripvalve which valve controls both the pressure inlet port and the pressureexhaust 40 P rt.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood 45 from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings,in-

Figure -'3 is a view of still another form of well pumping means. a

Figure 4 is an elevation of the automatic trip valve.

Figure 5 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view 5 of the valve shownin Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of themechanical control valve used in cooperation with a central plant.

Figure 7 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view 10 of the releasevalve'employed on the mechanical control valve, and

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view of the valve control mechanism.

As is known in the art, ordinarily when a well it is first brought in,suiiicient gases are formed to such a great extent of pressure that intheir escape, the gases will carry fluid upwardly therewith, therebyproducing a flowing well. However, the gas pressure within some of thesewells is 20 sufiicient to operate a well for only a short period oftime. Also other wells may flow naturally for longer periods. In time,as the oil level is lowered so also is the gas pressure decreased untilsuch time that, although gas is still escaping under comparatively highpressure, the velocity of the gas is insumcient to raise the fluid tothe top of the well from its lowered level.

when the well ceases to flow under its own pressure it is then necessaryfor the operator to employ what is known as an agitating means or, atthis early stage of operation, install a complete and highly expensivewell pumping unit. To date the agitators now procurable on the openmarket have proven themselves to be very unsatisfactory to'the averageoperator, not only because of the initial cost of an agitating unit, butalso that at such time as the gas pressure decreases to too great anextent the operator is forced to discard his agitating unit and go tothe further expense of installing a regular pumping unit.

The foremost object of this invention is to provide a unit which may beoperated from the gas head pressure within the well casing as anagitating means as long as suflicient pressure remains within the wellcasing. When the pressure fails, it is only necessary for the user ofthis invention to employ means for introducing pressure into the primaryunit that had been used as an agitating .medium. Thus it will be seenthat in using a device of this type a well operator need only buy aportion of a complete pumping unit to be used as an agitator and laterbuy the remainder of the unit to be used as a regular sucker rod pump.

In the drawings, the numeral 10' designates a well casing having theusual casing head I I thereon. Well tubing l2 extends through the casingwhile the usual reciprocating sucker rods 13 are centrally disposedwithin the tubing. The upper end of the sucker rod is connected to awalking beam l4 by a swivel joint [5.

The walking beam I4 is pivoted at l6 on the upper end of a suitablestandard l1, while a connecting link I8 is pivoted at l9 to said beamand connected at its other end to an actuating arm IQ .of a gearing unit20, which is mounted on a suitable base 2|.

Adjacent the connection I5 is a pivotal connection 2| to which isfastened the upper end of a piston 22, which is confined within acylinder 23 as a counterbalancing medium. The piston is actuatedvertically by means of the gas head pressure within the well casing H).The pressure is introduced into the cylinder 23 by means of a connectingpipe 24 in which is mounted an automatic trip valve 25 which valve isactuated by a link 26 connected at one end to the valve, while stop lugs26 are positioned on said link, which link is slidably engaged byslotted plate l4 secured to the underside of the beam I4. Thus, thevalve 25 is actuated when the plate strikes either the upper or lowerlug whereby a quick valve action is had at such time as the beam reacheseither of its extreme positions. A cut-01f valve 21 is mounted in theline 24 adjacent the well casing, while a constant pressure reducer 28is also connected in the line.

By observing Figures 4 and 5 the details of the automatic trip valve mayclearly be seen. An actuating arm 29 is connected at its outer end tothe link 26 and at its inner end to actuating lug arms 30 which arms arerotatably mounted on a shaft 3|. The shaft extends into a valve housing32 which is substantially circular in cross section. An operating arm 33is keyed to the shaft 3| in such a manner as to rotate said shaft whensaid arm is moved. A weight 33 is positioned on the extreme outer end ofthe shaft, whereby when the lug arms 30 are moved due to theirconnection to the link 26 by means of the arm 29, said operating armwill be overbalanced by the weight after the center of gravity of saidarm 33 is reached, thus causing a quick valve action,

Asemi-circular valve 34 is mounted within the housing 32 and connectedto the shaft by arms 35, said valve member being fixedly mounted on saidshaft 3|. An opening 36 is provided in the member 34 intermediate theends thereof whereby if the inlet port A is open the outlet port B willbe closed, while the cylinder port C will at all times remain open.

Thus movement of the arm 26 will rotate the shaft due to the members 29,30 and 33. Rotation of the shaft will change the position of the opening36'to open or close either of the ports A and B. From the foregoing itmay be seen that when the opening 36 is in the position shown in Figure5, the header gas may enter the cylinder 23 through the valve 25 by wayof the ports A and C. Gas is introduced in this manner on the upstrokeof the sucker rods l3. The link 26, being connected to the beam M, willbe actuated on the upstroke of said beam. The following operation of thevalve has been hereinbefore explained, that the arm 33 will rotate theshaft 3| to change the position of the opening 36, which change willclose the inlet port A, and open the exhaust port B, whereby the gaspressure within the cylinder 23 may escape back through port C and outinto exhaust port B. It is to be noted that an upright pipe B isprovided whereby the escaping gases may be burned, or otherwise disposedof. A cutoff valve 25 is mounted in the pipe B whereby the exhaust maybe controlled to determine the speed of the downstroke of the piston 22.It is to be noted that this valve 25' is not used when a gear box isemployed.

In operation, for example, a gas head pressure of 500 pounds is in awell and only pounds is needed to perform the counterbalancing operationof the piston and cylinder 22 and 23, respectively, the constantpressure reducer 28 would be set at its secondary end at 150 pounds,thereby allowing for constant pressure upon the piston 22. This pressureis so regulated as to in no way interfere or injure the gearing unit 20.

Thus, if desired, sufficient pressure may be introduced into thecylinder 23 to overcome both the rod load and. the fluid load, wherebyonly the weight of the rods on the downstroke thereof will be imposedupon the gearing unit 20, to lengthen the operation period of saidgearing unit indefinitely.

From the foregoing it may be seen that with a unit as hereinbeforedescribed, an agitating medium is obtained, said medium requiring onlythe cost ofthe gearing unit up-keep.

In Figure 2, is shown a unit which does not employ a gearing unit. Thistype agitator is for use on a well having a higher gas head pressurewhich enables an operator to raise both the rod and fluid loads by meansof the gas head pressure.

The only difference between the agitator shown in Figure 2 and that formhereinbefore described is that a cable connection 40 between the suckerrods l3 and the beam 14 is employed. An arcuate member 4| is substitutedfor the pivotal connection l5 whereby a direct vertical pull is had onthe sucker rods. Also the gearing unit 20 and its accompanying parts areeliminated. Also the exhust control valve 25' is employed with this typeagitator. Otherwise all part are identical to the hereinbefore escribedform and bear similar reference numerals, thereby eliminating thenecessity of repetition of the descripion of said identical parts.

In Figure 3, another form of agitator is shown. In this form the wellcasing, casing head, tubing, cylinder, piston, trip valve, cut-off andconnecting pipe are identical to that of the forms shown in Figures 1and 2 and bear like reference numerals. However, the walking beam I4 andstandard I! are substituted by a wheel 45 rotatably mounted on uprights46 secured to the upper end of the piston 22. A cable 41 is positionedover a wheel 45 and secured at one end as at 46 to the sucker rods l3,while the other end is fixedly secured at 49 to the cylinder mounting.The piston 22, as has been explained, is controlled by the trip valve25, hereinbefore described in detail.

The operation of this mechanism may clearly be seen by observing Figure3. As the piston and its cooperating wheel 45 travel upwardly, so thesucker rods will likewise move upwardly due to the cable connection 41.It is to be noted that a condenser gas separator 50 of any conventionaltype, is disposed within the line 24. The purpose of this condenser isto convert wet" gas of this unit into dry" gas thereby greatly reducingpossible frictional explosions. This condenser may be employed on any ofthe herein described units, as a saity feature.

From the foregoing it may be seen that as long as a gas head pressureremains. in a well, the above described units may be employed asagitators. If one operator has for instance, twenty wells, two of whichare gassers, while the remaining wells contain only a small amountapplicants copending application, Serial No.

272,488) to complete a highly eflicient counterbalanced pumping unit. Itis to be particularly noted that an operator need not discard anyequipment, as the unit hereinafter claimed comprises a primary portionof applicants above identified copending application.

In Figures 6, '7 and 8, is shown a mechanical-;

power control valve 50 which may be substituted for the electrical valveclaimed in the hereinbefore mentioned copending application.

As the control valve 50 is shown, described and claimed in the aforesaidapplication claim is made only to the valve actuating mechanism.

The valve 50 comprises a housing 5| having a piston 52 slidably mountedtherein which piston has an upwardly extending piston rod 53 having agear rack 54 formed on one side thereof. A sprocket wheel 54 isrotatably mounted on a shaft 55, while a chain 55 is arranged over said'wheel, said chain engaging the spokes of said sprocket wheel. A weight56 is secured to one end of the chain while a tape 56' is secured to theother end of said chain. An idler pulley 51 is soarranged as toaccomplish a direct vertical movement of the chain until said chainengages the wheel.

A weighted arm 10 is fixedly secured on the sprocket wheel shaft 55while lugs 1| are adjustable in arcuate slots 12 formed in the wheel 54.The lugs II are arranged to strike the weighted arm to produce an actionsimilar to that of the valve 25. arm, the shaft is turned to actuate thegear .rack through the medium of a pinion gear I3- engaging said rack 54thereby actuating the valve 50.

The other end of the. tape is suitably secured to the piston 22 wherebymovement is imparted to said tape to accomplish rotation of the sprocketwheel in cooperation with the weight 56. It is to be noted that saidtape is confined within a conduit 59 between said chain and said piston22. Vent valves 63 are provided at the upper and lower ends of thehousing 5|. The valve comprises a housing 6! being closed at one end bya ball valve 62 and a needle valve 63 at its other end. A communicatingport 64 is provided between the members 62 and 63 which portcommunicates with the interior of the housing 5|. The purpose of thisvalve is to eliminate any possibility of vacuum or compression which mayinterfere with the operation of the valve 50. It is to be noted thatadjustment of the needle valve 53 will regulate the speed of the piston52 as well ass-preventing said piston from "banging the strokes of saidpiston.

As the lugs move the against the valve housing at the termination ofFrom the foregoing it may be seen that a highly eiiicient and economicalagitating unit maybe had-which may later be converted into acounterbalanced pumping unit. As has been on unusually deep wells whichhave heavy rod and fluid loads, as this unit may be arranged, as hasbeen stated, to raise both the maximum and rod and fluid loads.

Manifestly, the construction as shown and de- I scribedis capable ofsome modification and such modification as may be construed within thescope and meaning of the appended claims is also considered to be withinthe spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A well agitating unit comprising a pivoted walking beam, actuatingmeans connected to one end of said beam, sucker rods connected to theother end of said beam, balancing means. connected to said walking beamintermediate said sucker rod connection and said pivot point of saidbeam, and means for utilizing the gas pressure within said well as anoperating medium of said balancing means.

2. An agitating unit for a well comprising reciprocable agitating meanswithin said well, means for actuating said reciprocable agitating means,and means for utilizing the gas head pressure within said well as acounterbalancing means for relieving the rod and fluid loads from saidagitating actuating means.

3. An agitating unit for a well comprising 4% agitating means withinsaid well, actuating means for operating said actuating means,counterbalancing means connected to said actuating means. a lineconducting the gas head pressure from said well to said counterbalancingmeans, and a presm sure reducer mounted in said line to maintain apredetermined pressure upon said counterbalancing means.

4. A plurality of balanced agitating units comprising agitating means,means for pressure operating said agitator means, a "gasser well forsupplying gas head pressure to said agitator operating means to all ofsaid agitating units, means for converting said well gases from wetgases to "dry gases, and means for regulating the pressure applied. tosaid agitator operating means.

5. A well agitating unit comprising agitating means within said well,pressure operated means for reciprocating said agitating means, meansfor introducing gas head pressure from said well to said agitatorreciprocating means, means for regulating said introduced gas headpressure, means for converting saidwell gases from wet gasesv to drygases, and valve means in said introducing means for regulating theinput pressure and exhaust pressure ,to and from said agitatorreciprocating means.

6. A-well agitating unit as set forth in claim 5, said valve means beingactuated by said agitator reciprocating means and including a pressureport, a cylinder port, an exhaust port, control means to close saidexhaust port and open said pressure port, means for changing theposition of said control means to open said exhaust port and close saidpressure to escape rearwardly from said cylinder port and upwardlythrough said exhaust port, and means connected to said exhaust portfordisposing of said well gases as the same are exhausted after use.

'7. A mechanically operated control valve to be used with acounterbalanced pumping unit including a housing, a reciprocable pistonin said housing, control ports in said piston, a piston said wheelwhereby when said wheel is rotated said weighted lever is actuated torotate said shaft to change the position of said piston through themedium of said gear rack and pinion.

8. A well agitating unit comprising agitating means within said well,pressure operated means "for reciprocating said agitating means, meansfor introducing gas head pressure from said well into said agitatorreciprocating means, means for controlling gas head pressure input intosaid reciprocating means, a trip valve for controlling said pressureinput and exhaust, and means for regulating the velocity of the exhaustfrom said reciprocating means.

9. An agitating unit for a well comprising reciprocable agitating meanswithin said well, a cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, said pistonconnected to and actuating said reciprocable agitating means, anintroduction means for conducting gas head pressure from said well tosaid cylinder to actuate said piston and reciprocable agitating means,valve means for controlling gashead pressure input and exhaust from saidcylinder mounted in said line, and valve means connected in the exhaustport of said valve for determining the speed of descension of saidpiston.

JOHN B. DAVIS.

